Beer tap handle



May 30, 1967 c. G. TATE, JR

BEER TAP HANDLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 5, 1964 F411. f r/ r u I ni I l/ FIGZ INVENTOR.

R U E M T G S E L R A H C BY v e, ATTORNEY Filed Nov. 5',

c. G. TATE, JR

BEER TAP HANDLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I .-gl 4/- h: Q 63 50 4'6 67 EIE Fl G. 5 47 46 :I'I /W q-- l INVENTOR.

' CHARLES G. TATE,JR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,321,861 BEER TAP HANDLE Charles G. Tate, Jr., 19 S. Locust Ave., North Providence, R1. 02911 Filed Nov. 3, 1964, Ser. No. 408,524 10 Claims. (Cl. 40-332) My present invention relates to the display and advertising art, and more particularly to a novel construction of a beer tap handle.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a beer tap handle with an electrically operated display device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a beer tap handle which can readily be designed to hold either a stationary light or a rotating and flashing light.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrically operated beer tap handle powered from rechargeable batteries.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an electrically operated beer tap handle in which the battery charging device associated with the handle is the control for the on and off switching mechanism.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a beer tap handle having the above advantages which is simple in construction and easy and economical to manufacture and assemble.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view, my invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts, more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more fully described in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of a beer tap handle embodying my invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the commutator;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the electrical hookup for the operation of and the charging of the batteries in the form shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view similar form of my invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a multiple charging hookup for charging a plurality of beer handle devices simultaneously.

Because of competition most beer companies provide bars with fancy tap handles carrying the name of the particular brew. These handles are changed frequently to attract attention and are made in all materials in numerous shapes and sizes. Attempts have been made to provide such handles with electrically operated devices such as lights and other moving parts. However, most communities are provided with safety regulations which prohibit the use of electric lines to beer tap handles be cause of the danger involved, the bartender normally having wet hands and handling a wet product. Battery power has also been suggested for such purpose but these are expensive because the batteries must be frequently replaced. Furthermore, a busy bartender will often forget to turn the switch and turn on the device when he comes in in the morning. The present invention is designed to provide an electrically powered beer tap handle utilizing rechargeable batteries. The device of the present invention operates with a novel switching arrangement so that the batteries are being charged only overnight when the de vice is not in use. Also, removal of the charging device turns on the beer tap handle.

Referring more in detail to the drawings illustrating my invention, FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate one form of the device. It comprises a cup-shaped housing made of any suitable dielectric material but preferably plastic.

to FIG. 1 showing another 3,321,661 Patented May 30, 1967 Plastic is preferred because of its lightness and economy. The cup-shaped housing 10 is open at the top and is provided at the bottom with an internally threaded collar 11 for mounting on the beer tap lever 12. Mounted in the housing 16 is a small motor 13 operated by a pair of rechargeable cadmium batteries 14. The motor 13 drives a vertical shaft 15 which extends upwardly beyond the upper edge of the housing 11] as shown in FIG. 1. Mounted on the top of the shaft 15 is a display section 16 which may be of any desired material and shape and is preferably replaceable and translucent. A 66 milliamp bulb 17 is also mounted above the shaft 15 within the translucent display section 16.

I now provide the commutator arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. A dielectric plate 18 is mounted between the motor 13 and the rotating section 16, the shaft 15 passing through the central opening 19 thereof. The plate 18 is provided with four or more spaced slots 20 arranged around the central opening 19. A metal electrically conductive plate 21 is provided with a large central opening 22 through which the shaft 15 extends without touching it. Around the perimeter of the metal plate 21 are a plurality of shoe sections 23 in the form of tabs having slanted top portions, each one extending through a slot 26 in the plate 13. This provides a plurality of spaced contact elements extending above the surface of the plate 18. Now extending downwardly from beneath the translucent portion 16, is a resilient finger or shoe 24 which rotates with the advertising element 16 and rides over successive contact tabs 23 as shown in FIG. 1. Current to the above devices is controlled through a jack switch 25 behind the opening 26 in the housing 10. The entire assembly is capped by an inverted transparent plastic housing portion 27 which fits over the rotatable advertising portion 16 as shown in FIG. 1 and is mounted on the housing 10 by means of screws 27.

The electrical hookup is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 3. The lamp 17 is activated in parallel through the motor 13. One line 28 extending to one side of the batteries l4 and the other side 29 touching the line 36 in the jack switch leading to the other side of the battery 14. With this arrangement the battery power is connected directly to the motor 13 and causes rotation of the shaft 15 and the translucent advertising element 16 mounted thereon. As the element 16 rotates the shoe 24 succes sively contacts the tabs 23 and at each contact the lamp 17 lights. The result is a flashing light which goes on and off four times per rotation of the element 16 in the form illustrated. Of course more or less contacts may be provided to either increase or lessen the amount of flashing of the light. The unit is self-contained and as long as the battery power lasts, the motor will run and the light will flash on. However, it is contemplated that when the establishment is shut down, it is necessary to shut off the light and rotation of the insignia 16 and also to recharge the batteries 14-. This is accomplished by the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3.

Charging of the batteries is accomplished in the conventional manner by means of a transformer 31 and diode 32 which are mounted in a housing 33 having contact blades 34 for insertion in the regular y. circuit. A suitable cord lead connection 35 is provided with a plug 36 at its outer end. In the evening the bartender plugs the contact blades 34 into the nearest outlet and pushes the plug 36 into the opening 26 and jack switch 25 in the housing 10. As can be seen in FIG. 3, movement of the plug 36 into the jack switch 25 results in the lifting of the element 37 from the line 29 and the connection of the element 37 with the plug 36. When the element 37 is lifted it disconnects the battery from the line 29 and immediately stops the rotation of the motor 33 and movement of the advertising element 16 and the lighting of the light 17. Simultaneously, the battery 14 is connected to the lines and the plug 36 to the charging device in the housing 33. Insertion of the plug 36 into the jack switch 25 therefore accomplishes two purposes, it shuts off the movement and light in the device and it connects the batteries to the charging device. In the morning it is awkward, and in many communities illegal, for the bartender to operate the beer tap handle while the Wires are attached thereto. Therefore, the bartender will pull the plug 36 from the opening 26 in the housing. This immediately drops the element 37 in the jack switch onto the line 29 and the device starts up again. Thus the device is equipped with its own reminder in that it cannot be shut off without connecting the charging device and it cannot be turned on or even operated without removing the charging device which immediately turns it on. To ensure proper operation, the batteries are designed to operate for a period of approximately 48hours without recharging.

A simpler form of the device is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. In this form a smaller base housing 38 is provided with a threaded collar 39 for mounting on a beer tap handle 40. Mounted in the housing 38 are a pair of batteries 41 similar to the batteries 14 in the housing 10. Mounted above the batteries 41 is an advertising insignia 42 in which the lamp 43 is mounted. This device is not equipped with any motor but is merely a steady light burning within an advertising insignia. A transparent cover 44 covers the housing 38 and the advertising insignia. In this form the light 43 is operated from the batteries 41 through a jack switch 45 having an element 46 bearing against an element 47 leading to the battery 41. Again, as in the previous form the device will provide a constant steady light as long as it is in a position hereinabove described. However, at night, I provide the plug 48 attached to a line 49 and a diode 50 and transformer 51 housed in a housing 52 which can be inserted into the 110 v. line. Insertion of the plug 48 into the opening 53 in the housing 38 raises the element 47 from contact with the element 46 disconnecting the battery from the light and turning out the light. Simultaneously the battery is connected to the plug 48 through its recharging device. In the morning, pulling out the plug 48 allows the elements 46 and 47 to contact each other and the light goes on again.

Some bars are equipped with more than one beer tap handle of the same type. In such cases it may be desirable to charge all the handles up from a single charging device. In such cases the forms illustrated in FIGS. 4 and may be used. It should be noted that the plug 48 is duplicated so that there are two plugs 48 connected to the same charging elements 50 and 51. Also, each tap or handle will be provided with another circuit similar to the circuit illustrated so that the circuits themselves are duplicates of each other and operate in the identical manner. The device can thus be used with or without a rotating motor. Without the motor a steady light can be provided and with the motor the light can be either steady or a flashing light. However, in either case, charging the device by inserting the plugs into the jack switch also shuts off the device. Removing the charging element turns on the device. This type of operation counteracts any forgetfulness on the part of the bartender to turn the device on or off. The device is simple and easy to manufacture and assemble. While it has been described as mounted on a beer tap lever, such types of advertising may be mounted on other articles for advertising purposes where it is desirable to 4 eliminate the cord connection while the device is operating. Other advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A beer tap handle comprising a housing having an upper transparent portion removably mounted on a lower housing portion, said lower housing portion having a threaded shank for mounting on a beer tap lever, a rechargable electric battery in said housing, an advertising member mounted in said upper housing and activated by said battery, a switch in said housing having a movable portion, said battery and said advertising member having lines to said switch normally electrically connected by said movable portion, and means for recharging said battery, said means having an element insertable into said switch to connect said recharging means to said battery line, said element actuating said movable portion to disconnect said advertising member line from said battery line when said element is inserted into said switch.

2. A beer tap handle as in claim 1, wherein said switch comprises a jack switch and said insertable element comprises a plug for actuating said switch.

3. A beer tap handle as in claim 1, wherein said advertising member includes a light bulb.

4. A beer tap handle as in claim 1, wherein a motor is mounted in said housing operated by said battery, said advertising member being rotatable by said motor.

5. A beer tap handle as in claim 3, wherein a motor is mounted in said housing for rotating said advertising member, said battery operating said motor arid said light bulb.

6. A beer tap handle as in claim 3, wherein a commutator is mounted beneath said advertising member, a motor is mounted in said housing for rotating said advertising member, said commutator being connected to said battery, and a contact shoe extends from said advertising member to intermittently contact said commutator on rotation of said advertising member, said shoe being connected to said bulb to cause intermittent lighting of said bulb when said advertising member is rotated.

7. A beer tap handle as in claim 2, wherein said advertising member includes a light bulb.

8. A beer tap handle as in claim 2, wherein a motor is mounted in said housing operated by said battery, said advertising member being rotatable by said motor.

9. A beer tap handle as in claim 7, wherein a motor is mounted in said housing for rotating said advertising member, said battery operating said motor and said light bulb.

10. A beer tap handle as in claim 6, wherein said switch comprises a jack switch and said insertable element comprises a plug for activating said switch.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,225,865 5/1917 Schneible 40--130 1,964,201 6/1934 Harsted 240--10.6 2,124,997 7/ 1938 Belobrajdech -40-33 2,257,866 10/1941 Talbot et al. 240-10.6 2,295,468 8/1942 Haley 40-332 2,414,446 1/1947 Carbone 40-332 2,677,908 5/ 1954 Clevenger et al. 40-33 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner. W. GRIEB, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A BEAR TAP HANDLE COMPRISING A HOUSING HAVING AN UPPER TRANSPARENT PORTION REMOVABLY MOUNTED ON A LOWER HOUSING PORTION, SAID LOWER HOUSING PORTION HAVING A THREADED SHANK FOR MOUNTING ON A BEER TAP LEVER, A RECHARGABLE ELECTRIC BATTERY IN SAID HOUSNG, AN ADVERTISING MEMBER MOUNTED IN SAID UPPER HOUSING AND ACTIVATED BY SAID BATTERY, A SWITCH IN SAID HOUSING HAVING A MOVABLE PORTION, SAID BATTERY AND SAID ADVERTISING MEMBER HAVING LINES TO SAID SWITCH NORMALLY ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED BY SAID MOVABLE PORTION, AND MEANS FOR RECHARGING SAID BATTERY, SAID MEANS HAVING AN ELEMENT INSERTABLE INTO SAID SWITCH TO CONNECT SAID RECHARGING MEANS TO SAID BATTERY SWITCH TO CONNECT SAID RECHARGIN MEANS TO SAID BATTERY LINE, SAID ELEMENT ACTUATING SAID MOVABLE PORTION TO DISLINE WHEN SAID ELEMENT IS INSERTED INTO SAID SWITCH. 